Flakpanzer 38(t) Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

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As the war progressed and Allied air superiority increased it became clear that there was a great need for a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun to protect ground troops. A Flakpanzer was designed around the chassis of the PzKpfw 38(t). The configuration used was the same as that of the Marder III Ausf M; the fighting compartment was at the rear and the engine was in the centre of the hull. The sloping glacis plate with protruding driver’s position was also the same.The weapon chosen for the Flakpanzer 38(t) was the 2cm Flak 38 which was installed either with or without a 10mm thick armoured gun-shield. It was fed from the left by a twenty round curved magazine of either armour piercing or high explosive ammunition. The gun mounting had all-round traverse and was protected by eight 10mm thick armoured shields. These were folded down in action to give more room to the crew. A rectangular frame was fitted behind the driver’s position to prevent the weapon being depressed to the point where it would endanger the vehicle.Hitler agreed to the introduction of the Flakpanzer 38(t) on 15 October 1943. The first batch of eighty-seven was built by BMM of Prague. These entered service in January 1944 with the anti-aircraft platoons of tank battalions (in particular with the Waffen SS).The Flakpanzer 38(t) remained in production until Spring 1944 by which time 162 vehicles had been built. It fought only on the western front and provided a useful stop-gap until its single 2cm gun proved inadequate and it was replaced by Flakpanzers built on the PzKpfw IV chassis (see Volume 1).

This Flakpanzer was recovered from a scrap yard at Trun, Normandy, some years ago. It is in a very poor condition and is missing its armament, tracks, many other fittings and most of its suspension. [Preserved Tanks in France: Number 182].

This is believed to be one of the four discovered in a scrap yard at Trun in Normandy. It is missing many parts of its suspension and superstructure but still retains its main armament. [Preserved Tanks in France: Number 214].